Braving the freeze to rally for life in Austin

(Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Austin)AUSTIN — The freezing temperatures didn’t keep 25 pilgrims from St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church in Houston from braving the cold and attending the Texas Rally for Life at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Jan. 24.

Thousands of pro-life Texans assembled at 14th St. and Brazos St. at the capital, holding signs, reciting the Rosary and dropping off diapers to be taken to pregnancy centers. 
The mile-long march and procession stretched past the Texas State Capitol dome to the south steps, where the rally awaited. 

As part of Texas Pro-Life Catholic Day, Austin’s Bishop Daniel Garcia also celebrated a Mass for Life at St. Louis King of France Parish in Austin, then also spoke at the Texas Rally for Life. According to Father Linh Nguyen, parochial vicar at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, Bishop Garcia prayed, “asking God to strengthen our conviction that human life is a sacred gift — to be protected and cherished.”  

“He prayed for elected officials, for women facing difficult pregnancies and for healing for all who suffer from participating in abortion,” Father Nguyen said. 

Also among the crowd listening to the speakers at the State Capitol was a crew of 73 parishioners from St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Hempstead who boarded three coach buses to make the trip to Austin. 

Bundled up like so many others and wearing distinctive blue bandannas, they braved the near-chilly weather to bring a witness to life in Texas. Youth and adults both joined the group, including a musician who carried a guitar, helping lead the group in song. 

Governor Greg Abbott, who addressed the crowd, said, “Never have I seen a weather challenge like this. But I’m so proud and heartened to see that it hasn’t dampened your spirit.” 

He reminded attendees that because of decades of advocacy, abortion is no longer legal in Texas. “As long as I’m governor, Texas will always fight for the unborn,” he said.

Claire Colwell, the emcee, is a twin abortion survivor. She shared with attendees that, when she was 21, she met her birth mother and learned that she had survived an abortion procedure. She had been a twin. They didn’t know she was there. She accidentally survived the very procedure that ended her twin’s life.

“Today, when you look at my face, you’re looking at the aborted baby — because you’re looking at my twin,” she said. “It’s difficult to turn a blind eye to the value of the unborn when you meet abortion survivors like myself.”

Rebecca Contreras also shared her story with attendees. She said that at five years old, her mother left to go to the grocery store and never came back. Her baby sister was six months old at the time. Three days later, a neighbor called her grandfather.

Contreras said she grew up amid addiction, abuse and poverty. At 17, she found herself pregnant and spiraled. But her mother, who had since found God, refused to let her choose abortion.

“Had it not been for my praying mother,” Contreras said, “I would have aborted that baby. She refused to let me choose anything but life.”

That baby was her daughter, Krystaline, now 37, who led worship at the rally. 

While Contreras went on to serve as an advisor to U.S. President George W. Bush, she said her greatest achievement was not her career.

“The best gift a woman can be given is to give birth and be a mother,” she said.

Amy O’Donnell, communications director of Texas Alliance for Life, said, “Every one of us standing here today is the same person we were in our mother’s womb, just further along in the timeline of life. Our value did not suddenly appear at birth. It was always there.” 

Closing the rally, she said, “Texas values life. Texas supports women. And Texas is not done protecting the most vulnerable among us.”

At the rally, supporters gathered baby supplies for a large “Texas‑Sized Diaper Drive,” which supports pregnancy centers statewide. Last year, more than 40,000 diapers were collected. Attendees were encouraged to bring larger‑size diapers and wipes.